Drink driver admits causing death of motorcyclist in Bloxwich

Ryan Husted was killed in a collision between his green Kawasaki and a VW Golf, in Cresswell Crescent, Mossley, on March 2. He was 25.

Golf driver Steven Smith admitted causing death by careless driving while over the drink-drive limit when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Mr Husted’s family today said they hoped justice would now be done.

Smith, aged 52, of Muirfield Close in Bloxwich, will be sentenced on September 25. He was bailed until then, but was given an interim driving ban.

Mr Husted’s family attended yesterday’s hearing at which Smith entered his guilty plea. Sister Jade Husted said: “Myself and my parents hope that justice is served as Steven has taken away the biggest part of our lives.

“Not a day passes that we don’t think of Ryan and we miss him so much. It’s not just our lives that have been affected, hundreds of Ryan’s friends are feeling our pain too.”

Mr Husted, from Bloxwich, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash despite the efforts of passers by and ambulance crews to save him.

He had worked at Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd, in Chuckery, Walsall, where colleagues described him as a hard worker.

The former Sneyd Comprehensive pupil had been saving up for a mortgage in the hope of settling down with his girlfriend Jenny Robinson.

Mr Husted’s father Paul described him an outgoing character who would be sorely missed, while his mother Angela said he was ‘golden’ and she loved him greatly.

Hundreds of people left floral tributes at the scene of the tragedy in memory of Mr Husted, of Parker Street.

A charity fun day in his memory took place in March at The Sneyd Pub, in Vernon Way, and raised more than £500 for the Air Ambulance. Friends also held a charity bike ride in his memory.